News: POLITICO Florida Playbook: Move over Sin City. Hello Sin State? — Fears of a Cuban exodus begin to mount — Cruise line challenges DeSantis ban on vaccine passports

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

POLITICO Florida Playbook: Move over Sin City. Hello Sin State? — Fears of a Cuban exodus begin to mount — Cruise line challenges DeSantis ban on vaccine passports

Jul 14, 2021

Hello and welcome to Wednesday.

Rolling — Goodbye Sin City…hello Sin State?

Show me the money — It appears that Gov. Ron DeSantis may have started something that he can't stop — and it now could be joining him on the 2022 ballot. Sparked in part by his exclusive gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, tens of millions of dollars have now been set aside by casino companies and online betting firms eyeing massive gambling expansions on the land of theme parks and beaches.

Off and running — The two online betting companies, DraftKings and FanDuel, are behind a proposed citizen initiative that seeks to ask voters to scrap the Seminole monopoly on sports betting next year and open it to others. But other gambling companies — namely Las Vegas Sands — are putting together their own operation to try to place two additional gambling-related constitutional amendments on the 2022 ballot as well, according to amendment text obtained by the Florida Politics website . Those amendments appear aimed at bringing in casinos outside of the areas now served by the Seminole Tribe.

Did the governor know about this? — This still-nebulous campaign is very interesting of course because Las Vegas Sands has connections to DeSantis. Lobbyist Nick Iarossi, who has a long-running strong relationship with the governor, represented the company when it was previously trying to bring a casino to the state. The governor met with Miriam Adelson, widow of casino mogul and GOP megadonor Sheldon Adelson, in Tallahassee earlier this year. At the time, those close to the governor insisted it had nothing to do with any looming gambling efforts. Hmm. Yet now here we are.

Lay it down — Meanwhile, another political committee linked to Magic City Casino in south Florida has millions of dollars in its account, and Seminole Gaming has also pumped in $10 million for its own political committee. The decision by these gambling companies to set aside such large amounts now is fueled by the decision of DeSantis and the Republican-controlled Legislature to put a $3,000 cap on donations to groups backing citizen initiatives. Supporters of the new limits — including the governor — said it would prevent out-of-state special interests from hijacking the ballot. The cap, which one federal judge has already ruled against, has backfired spectacularly and created a frenzy.

Where will DeSantis land? — DeSantis is marching toward re-election in 2022, where he may be on the ballot with not one, but maybe as many as four gambling related amendments. How will the governor respond? And will his legacy — regardless of what happens next year — include casinos and gambling.

— WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official announced for Gov. DeSantis.

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com

STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president's ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.

DRIVING THE DAY

STAY AWAY — "Mayorkas to Cubans, Haitians: Do not come to the U.S.," by POLITICO's Sabrina Rodriguez: Cuban-born Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Tuesday delivered a clear message to the Cuban and Haitian people amid upheaval in both Caribbean nations: Do not come to the United States. "The time is never right to attempt migration by sea," Mayorkas said in a press conference at the U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters. "To those who risk their lives doing so, this risk is not worth taking." "Allow me to be clear: If you take to the sea, you will not come to the United States."

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas speaks during a press briefing at the White House.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Monday, March 1, 2021, in Washington. | Andrew Harnik/AP Photo

AND YET THERE'S THIS…. — "Blaming U.S. for protests, Cuba official says actions could trigger exodus from the island," by El Nuevo Herald's Nora Gamez Torres: "Accusing the U.S. of masterminding and financing the massive protests in Cuba this week, the island's foreign minister issued a veiled threat that American actions could trigger a new exodus of Cubans to the United States. 'I accuse the government of the United States of being directly involved and of having serious responsibility in the incidents that occurred on July 11 and I warn again that it will be responsible for the consequences that arise,' Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said, adding the U.S. is risking the 'incitement of irregular and disorderly migratory flows between the two countries.'"

AND THIS — "Miami-Dade schools preparing for possible student surges from Cuba, Haiti," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: School leaders in Miami-Dade County are preparing for a possible influx of students from Cuba and Haiti in the wake of massive political instability in both countries. Miami-Dade County Public Schools on Tuesday began gearing up in case foreign students and their families flee to the area, which has been known to receive students during times of unrest or natural disasters that affect Latin America and the Caribbean.

HMM — " DeSantis sidesteps question on whether protesters blocking traffic in Miami should be charged under GOP-backed law," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who pushed for a contentious "anti-riot" bill in the wake of last year's racial justice protests, sidestepped a question Tuesday on whether authorities should arrest demonstrators blocking streets in Miami in support of Cuban protesters. Instead the Republican governor said there was a "fundamentally different" distinction between Black Lives Matters protesters that DeSantis said were "burning buildings" and "targeting law enforcement" last summer and those in Miami protesting against the authoritarian regime in Cuba. "I think that people understand the difference between going out and peacefully assembling, which is obviously people's constitutional right, and attacking other people or burning down buildings or dragging people out of car," DeSantis said.

Rebuttal — Democrats opposing the law — which is being challenged in federal court — said DeSantis' decision to sidestep the question backs up their argument that the bill was aimed primarily at Black protesters. "The governor is pandering for votes from his base," said state Sen. Shevrin Jones, a Black Miami Gardens Democrat who was sharply critical of the bill. "The rules that were set in HB1 are set at a completely different level for people who look like me."

— " Hundreds blocked Semoran Boulevard in Orlando at Cuba protest before police force them to sidewalk," by Orlando Sentinel's Katie Rice and David Harris

— "In Miami, the mayor says military action may be needed in Cuba," by Miami Herald's Douglas Hanks and Joey Flechas

— "'This is one of those moments.' Dems urge Biden to deliver Miami speech on Cuba, Haiti," by Miami Herald's Alex Daugherty

THE FINAL TALLY — "As search nears end, Florida condo death toll becomes clearer," by The New York Times' Patricia Mazzei: "The death toll from a catastrophic condominium collapse in Florida last month, once feared to be well more than 100 people, is expected to land between 95 and 99 people, with the search-and-recovery operation at the disaster site nearing its end. Champlain Towers South in Surfside partially crumbled early on June 24. In the 20 days crews have searched for victims, slowly removing layer after layer of rubble from the 13-story building, they have found the remains of 95 people."

— " Slab that failed at fallen Champlain Tower had been a problem for 25 years, records show," by Miami Herald's Sarah Blaskey and Ben Conarck

— "Coffin of nanny killed in condo collapse returns to Paraguay," by The Associated Press

CAMPAIGN MODE

GONE — "William Braddock, facing injunction order, drops out of congressional race," by Tampa Bay Times' Romy Ellenbogen: "William Braddock has terminated his campaign for Florida's 13th Congressional District after fellow candidate Anna Paulina Luna obtained a temporary stalking injunction against him. Braddock's campaign filed a termination report on June 18. Braddock is facing injunctions he received June 11 that were filed by Luna and Erin Olszewski, a nurse and conservative speaker. A St. Petersburg Police Department report looking into reported threats Braddock made found no probable cause for arrest, but detailed a 30-minute-long phone call where Braddock appears to be recorded without his knowledge saying he has access to Russian and Ukrainian 'hit squads.'"

SUBSCRIBE TO "THE RECAST" TODAY: Power is shifting in Washington and in communities across the country. More people are demanding a seat at the table, insisting that politics is personal and not all policy is equitable. The Recast is a twice-weekly newsletter that explores the changing power dynamics in Washington and breaks down how race and identity are recasting politics and policy in America. Get fresh insights, scoops and dispatches on this crucial intersection from across the country and hear critical new voices that challenge business as usual. Don't miss out, SUBSCRIBE . Thank you to our sponsor, Intel.

Bidenology

FLORIDA ON THE LIST — "Biden chides Republicans on voting laws: 'Have you no shame?'" by POLITICO's Laura Barrón-López and Jonathan Custodio: President Joe Biden on Tuesday derided voter suppression and election subversion efforts, calling for Republican legislators to step up amid such efforts across the nation and asking, "Have you no shame?" "We'll be asking my Republican friends in Congress, in the states and cities and counties, to stand up, for God's sake, and help prevent this concerted effort to undermine our election and the sacred right to vote. Have you no shame?" Biden said, after pointing to 28 restrictive voting laws enacted across 17 states and nearly 400 additional bills being proposed.

... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

ANOTHER L FOR FLORIDA — "Judge blocks key portion of Florida property insurance law," by News Service of Florida's Dara Kam and Jim Turner: "A federal judge has blocked the state from enforcing a key part of a new property insurance law designed to combat fraud that prohibits roofing contractors advertising to potential customers. Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker supported the call for a preliminary injunction from Brandon-based Gale Force Roofing & Restoration LLC, which argued the law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 11 violates First Amendment rights by directly penalizing protected speech."

ASKING FOR THE MONEY — "Florida applies for $1.1 billion in additional Medicaid funds," by News Service of Florida's Christine Sexton: "The additional federal Medicaid funding the state is seeking is available under a provision in the American Rescue Plan Act, a stimulus package signed by President Joe Biden in March, that allows the state to draw down a 10 percentage-point increase in federal funds to bolster home- and community-based services in state Medicaid programs. Florida's decision to seek such a large influx of federal cash for health care programs runs counter to previous years, in which Republican leaders have been skeptical about tapping into additional federal money for health care."

— "Gov. Ron DeSantis promotes new Florida civics education program offering teachers $3,000 bonuses," by USA Today Network-Florida's John Kennedy

CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

PUSHING BACK — "Norwegian Cruise Line sues Florida surgeon general over 'vaccine-passport' ban," by Wall Street Journal's Dave Sebastian: "Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. sued Florida's surgeon general, challenging the state's barring of businesses from requiring proof of Covid-19 vaccination and intensifying the standoff between the company and Florida. The cruise operator is sticking with its policy to require full vaccinations for all crew and passengers, including children, for initial sailings through Oct. 31 after more than a yearlong hiatus and billions of dollars in losses. That policy, if maintained in Florida, would result in the company being fined as much as $5,000 for each passenger affected, it said."

Response — "A spokeswoman for the Florida governor's office said Norwegian's stance discriminated against children and individuals who can't be vaccinated, and noted the state's legal efforts against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's sailing restrictions and protocols. 'Apparently Norwegian prefers the shackles of the CDC to the freedom offered by Florida,' the spokeswoman said in a statement."

— " Despite Delta variant's spread, Gov. Ron DeSantis remains opposed to mask mandates in Florida schools," by WPTV's Forrest Saunders

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

YUCK — "No Red Tide relief in sight as dead fish overwhelm St. Petersburg," by Tampa Bay Times' Zachary T. Sampson and Gabe Stern: "The Sunshine City and its sparkling waterfront parks have become the center of Tampa Bay's Red Tide crisis. Rafts of dead fish are washing ashore more quickly than crews can gather the carcasses. Workers have picked up 477 tons of dead fish from the coastline in recent weeks, according to Mayor Rick Kriseman. That accounts for the overwhelming majority of more than 600 tons picked up across Pinellas County. Scientists continue to detect high levels of Red Tide through much of the bay, with no sign of immediate relief on the horizon."

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

BIRTHDAYS: Mike Vasilinda, owner and president of Mike Vasilinda Productions

Want to make an impact? POLITICO Florida has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Sunshine State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you're promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness amongst this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.

Follow us on Twitter